English at Newhaven School

English is so much more than the gateway to success in other curriculum subjects. Through studying literature, pupils’ eyes are opened to the human experience; they explore meaning and ambiguity as well as the beauty and power of language. English also has a strong creative and expressive dimension.

You will study English if you have yet to achieve level 2. This may be at GCSE or Entry Level. We can discuss with you and your parents which option is the most appropriate for you.
We want to provide our students with skills which enrich their lives and help prepare them for the modern world. This includes helping to develop their literacy skills, analytical thinking and confidence in their ability to communicate through spoken language.

In English lesson, you will learn to:

  • Read fluently, and with good understanding, a wide range of texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including literature and literary non-fiction as well as other writing such as reviews and journalism
  • Read and evaluate texts critically and make comparisons between texts
  • Summarise and synthesize information or ideas from texts
  • Use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their own writing
  • Write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately
  • Use grammar correctly and punctuate and spell accurately
  • Acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
  • Listen to and understand spoken language and use spoken Standard English effectively

You will be assessed on three main skills: reading, writing and speaking and listening

Reading:

  • Read 19th, 20th and 21st century texts in a range of genres and types including literature (fiction and non-fiction), essays, reviews and articles.

Writing:

  • Write in a variety of text types: letter, report, newspaper report, magazine article, journal, words of a speech, a reasoned argument, descriptive and narrative compositions, essays and reviews.

Speaking and Listening:

  • Give a formal presentation of approximately 4–5 minutes, on a theme or topic you choose. Answer spoken questions on the theme or topic for approximately 4–5 minutes.

AQA GCSE English Language (8700)

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing is worth 50% of the GCSE grade. This exam will last for one hour and 45 minutes.

Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives is worth 50% of the GCSE grade. This exam will last for one hour and 45 minutes.

Edexcel International GCSE English Language (4EA1)

Paper 1: Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing is worth 60% of the IGCSE grade. This exam will last for two hours and 15 minutes.

Coursework: Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing is worth 40% of the IGCSE grade.

Assignment A: Poetry and prose texts – one 30-mark essay question based on any three poetry or prose texts from Part 2 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology. At least one poetry text and one prose text must be discussed in the assignment.

Assignment B: Imaginative writing – one 30-mark imaginative writing task.

Edexcel Entry Level qualification in English at Level 1, 2 or 3.

The Entry Level Certificate sits below GCSE qualifications. Entry Level 3 represents achievement below a GCSE Grade 1. The Pearson Edexcel Entry Level Certificate in English covers the appropriate aspects of the Key Stage 4 programme of study in English.

You will develop understanding and skills in:

  • Speaking, Listening and Communication: take full part in formal and informal discussions and exchanges that include unfamiliar subjects.
  • Reading: read and understand a range of straightforward texts.
  • Writing: write in a range of texts to communicate information, ideas and opinions using formats and styles suitable for their purpose and audience.

How you will be assessed:

  • Speaking, listening and communication: A formal discussion and an informal group discussion.
  • Reading: Two texts based on a single context. The two texts will comprise: one narrative text, eg a newspaper article, one informative text, eg a letter, timetable, leaflet. You will answer questions on both texts.
  • Writing: One task worth 15 marks, (such as writing a letter or a newspaper article), and a shorter task worth 10 marks, (such as writing an email). You will complete both tasks. 40% of the marks for each task will be allocated to spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Gardens, NEST and Engage

Term 2024-25 Years 8 & 9 (KS3) Year 10 (KS4) Year 11 (KS4) English Language
Autumn Exploring Film Genres
Includes watching a range of film clips and identifying conventions within these

Literary Heritage
To include extracts from Oliver by Charles Dickens and the film A Christmas Carol.
The Selfish Giant
An exploration of childhood the film & other texts, such as Of Mice and Men

Teenagerhood
A selection of texts around the theme of growing up
Film Across Cultures
(AQA English Language skills) A selection of films, fiction and non-fiction extracts linked to skills required for Paper 1 and Paper 2
Spring World Literature
The Rabbit-Proof Fence (novel and film)

Holes
A reading of the whole of the novel, accompanied by short clips from the film version.
Poetry
A selection of poems which explore the theme of young adulthood.

Dystopian Fiction Includes
A selection of extracts & clips from a selection of dystopian films
AQA Paper 2 - Reading
Revision

AQA Paper 2 - Writing
Revision
Summer Hidden Women
Includes war poetry, personal profiles of women in war, clips from a spy film and read non-fiction extracts about women in sport.

Romeo and Juliet
Extracts from the original text of the Shakespeare play, accompanied by extracts from the graphic novel version.
Introduction to The Gothic
A selection of film, fiction and non-fiction extracts exploring this genre

Modern Non-Fiction
A selection of extracts from the IGCSE Anthology
AQA Paper 1 - Reading
Revision

AQA Paper 2 - Writing
Revision

King's Park

Term 2024-25 Years 8 & 9 (KS3) Year 10 (KS4) Year 11 (KS4) English Language
Autumn Exploring childhood through stories
Extracts from the novel Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll, with extracts from the film version.

Literary Heritage
To include extracts from Oliver by Charles Dickens and the film A Christmas Carol.
Poetry
You will study some poems and start to explore approaches to analytical writing.

Creative Writing
You will explore creative writing and produce a piece of writing. This could be a short story or a descriptive piece.
IGCSE Coursework
You will study a range of poems and choose two to write about for your coursework.

Creative Writing
You will explore creative writing and produce a draft piece of writing for your coursework.
Spring Awe and Wonder
The Museum of Curiosity.

Adventures
A series of non-fiction & fiction extracts that explore going on adventures and adventurous activities (real and imagined).
You will begin to study some of the anthology texts for IGCSE.
You will explore opinion based writing and points of view to enable you to write an argument or persuasive piece about something you are interested in. You will have the opportunity to write a short story.
IGCSE Anthology
You will study the anthology texts to help you prepare for the summer exam.

IGCSE Exam style lessons - Paper 1/Reading and Writing
You will have lessons that are modelled on the Paper 1 exam questions . These will include reading a selection of extracts and using them to practise your own writing.
Summer Risks and Challenges
Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Change/ The Changing World
Tales of the Unexpected
You will read a selection of modern non-fiction texts and use them to develop your analytical writing skills. You will learn how to compare texts.

You will have the opportunity to create some of your own writing in response to what you have read.
IGCSE Exam style lessons - Paper 1/Reading and Writing
You will have lessons that are modelled on the exam questions (non-fiction). These will include reading a selection of non-fiction extracts and answering questions on them.

IGCSE Exam style lessons - Paper 1/Writing
You will have lessons that are modelled on the Paper 1 exam questions ). These will include reading a selection of non-fiction extracts and using them to practise your own writing.
Term 2024-25 Post-16
Autumn 1. Speaking and Listening
You will research and prepare a short talk for some of your peers on a topic that you know something about and are interested in. You will also take part in a group discussion based on an agreed shared area of English.

2. Writing
You will explore a range of writing formats including articles, letters, eye witness accounts, reviews and diary entries. Reading. You will explore a range of texts that help you to read for meaning. Alongside reading and writing you may complete work on Lexia to support you with your overall literacy.
Spring 1. Exam preparation for the reading and writing exams.

2. You will continue to develop your reading and writing skills with a specific focus on any identified areas for development after the first exams.

3. Alongside reading and writing you may complete work on Lexia to support you with your overall literacy.
Summer 1. Exam preparation for the reading and writing exams (as required)

2. You will continue to develop your reading and writing skills with a specific focus on any identified areas for development after the first exams.

3. Alongside reading and writing you may complete work on Lexia to support you with your overall literacy.